Thrift Tales Thursday: Christmas Lovin'

Hello all and I hope you had a positively wonderful holiday!  I know I did, it was so nice to just relax and spend some much needed time with my family and boyfriend.  Not to mention all the delicious food, including my grandma's perfect peanut butter fudge.  It was enough to encourage kicking off the New Year's resolutions early.  Teeheehee

 

But now we are on to the lovely vintage goodness I found under the tree!  My Dad did wonderfully with the 1961 Holiday Promotional Pyrex casserole with lid.  He also found the Daisy loaf pan and the Amish Blue Butterprint Mixing Bowls.  My mom found me the Pink Daisy space saver at goodwill and it is in wonderful condition except for a small chip.  I love it.  She also found the pink banded plate.  I found the cute mini-cookbooks at an antique store on sale. 

 

This is the unbelievable part though.  My dad found me a set of the blue banded dinnerware complete with serving platter and bowl, as well as the cream and sugar. There are 8 place settings including the dinner plate, luncheon plate, saucer, and bowl as well as 3 cups.  Luckily I believe I have some cups and some bread plates so chances are I have a complete set for 8.  Squeee!  Have I mentioned my dad is the best!

 

 

My boyfriend was also a sweetheart and got me a pink snuggie...which he decided to get embroidered...with I <3 Pyrex.  I think he is a keeper. 

 

 

In other news, I also found these two Colonial Mist Cinderella Mixing Bowls at Goodwill for a steal at $3 for both.  I had also found 3 of the spring blossom bowls but I had forgotten to photograph them. 

 

 

Question of the Day:  Did you find any vintage goodies waiting under your tree?  What was your favorite?  If you can choose that is ;)

 

Well that's all for now folks!  Hopefully the holidays were all you hoped for and more.  Happy Thrifting!

A Little Something to Ring in the Season

Hello again everyone! I am happy to say that I have finally finished (the seemingly never-ever-ever ending) first semester of my senior year in college.  This also means I have survived the toughest bulk of my coursework.  So I can finally relax.  And fold my laundry.  And blog. 

 

Today I had some time to run some errands, mail all my Christmas cards, and I happened to stop off at the local antique mall.  What can I say?  It was on the way.  How can you not stop?

 

I found this lovely Christmas tablecloth that I think is adorable with all the bows.  I also can't argue with the timing with Christmas right around the corner.  I also picked up these two books.  The "Home Folks" one is a school geography book from the 30's with some amazing photos with project potential (given the destroyed spine on the book). 

 

 

The other is an accounting textbook dated 1878.  Have I mentioned before that I am an accounting major?  I have a "thing" for collecting vintage items related to this profession. 

 

 

The rest of this post is sort of a highlight reel of the some of the items I had found recently and photographed.  Sadly, there were many other amazing finds that I failed to photograph.  This is at least a little bit of them though. 

 

I had found the Pyrex chip and dip set in the box at a goodwill along with the opal bread pan and Fire King jadeite mixing bowl.  Jadeite at a thrift store! I was super tickled about that one. 

 

 

I also found the complete Daisy bakeware set!  This was quite exciting for me since this is my first lasagna pan. 

 

 

I also had some great luck with finding linens including this amazing dish towel. 

 

I also found a couple other towels as well as two floral themed tablecloths. 

 

 

I had picked up this Pyrex twin serving piece at a flea market in late summer. 

 

 

Finally...last but certainly not least, at the same flea market I found the two casseroles needed to complete my Pyrex Pink Amish Butterprint set!

 

As always, thank you for reading everyone!  Hopefully I can get back into the swing of things and start updating on some of my other recent finds.  Happy thrifting everyone!

A Well Rounded Haul and Some Special Presents!

Hello again everyone!  I had some pretty spectacular thrifting and flea marketing this past week.  Which means I have plenty of new goodies to share! I'm a little too excited to offer anymore of an introduction, so without further delay, we begin with the Pyrex!

 

The little casserole from the buffet twins, 2 Friendship mixing bowls, 4 quart Homestead casserole, small green striped mug, and 2 sets of Pyrex compatibles napkin rings all came from the local Goodwills.  Yeah, when I saw them, especially the friendship, I maybe squealed a bit and took off at warp speed to grab them.  The Americana 4 quart bowl was something my Dad picked up at a yard sale for a dollar.  The two Amish Blue Butterprint fridgies were part of my birthday gift from him (along with a jar of pickles).  

 

 

 

From the same yard sale as the Americana, my dad also got the entire box of vintage Christmas bulbs for a dollar. I picked up the Sunbeam Mixmaster, little metal percolator, Amish themed disposable souvenir coasters from Dutch Haven in Lancaster PA, red and silver platter, and autumn cake plate from thrift stores.  I love the cake plate!  The  knob on top is an acorn and there is a design around it featuring leaves and more acorns!



 

 

The Famous Artist Painting Series books from 1953 are absolutely intriguing to me! Also I found the 1929 dictionary and promotional tongs at the same store.  Finally, the welcome mat is new, but I think it is adorable and for a couple bucks at the thrift shop, I had to grab it. 

 

 

Close up of the promotional tongs from "Jim's Keystone Service"

 

 

Here are some interior photos of the art instruction books. 

 

 

And finally (although I am sorry for the less than fabulous photo), we have the golden acorn casserole that my boyfriend found for me.  I was so tickled when he turned up with this! Most twenty-some year old guys don't even care to figure out what "Vintage Pyrex" is...let alone keep their eye out for it! :) 

 

Also pictured is the small white hostess style Pyrex dish my dad found for me at the Flea Market.  Although I have seen some debate as to whether these are "real", in my opinion this can definitely not be a dishwashed red or yellow as some people suggest.  It is as shiny as can be and there is not a single speck anywhere on it.  It may have been that although Pyrex did not intentionally make a white Hostess set, some "left the factory" in their white state. 

 

 

Well that is all for now folks!  Wishing everyone happy thrifting and hoping you find some goodies to share as well!

 

Linking up over at:

Thriftasaurus

 

Not With a Fizzle, but With a Bang.

 And so 2012 draws to a close and 2013 emerges with all it's promises of the future.  To be honest, this past year has been completely fair to me.  I can only hope that 2013 will hold steady at this and perhaps be even better.  But then again that is human nature, to strive for consistent improvement. 

 

I'm quite excited to share my first goodies of the year with everyone.  Although my luck in the thrifts has been lacking, it has given me opportunities to stop in at some antique stores that I don't frequent on a regular basis (primarily due to higher cost).  I was still tickled at what I found for (decently) good prices. 

 

First up!  I got the Folley turquoise handled sifter and Shiny Brites all from the same store.  My total there was a little less than $10...not quite as awesome as thrift prices...but I got an indent ornament...and this makes me happy. 

 

 

The rest all came from a different antique store that I've had pretty decent luck with.  Especially with chairs; I must have gotten 5 chairs from there.  I was a little disappointed they hadn't gotten more chairs in, but I still found some goodies.  I grabbed these two McCall's magazines from May and September of 1958 for $3 a piece, in excellent condition.  I just loved reading them...they had some amazing advertisements and articles on clothing.  I hope do be posting some interior photos from them soon. 

 

I was also pretty tickled to find this Encyclopedia of Cooking in 24 Volumes Binder.  As you have likely gathered....I love the little cute cookbooks.  This is like a complete set of them all in a cute little package. 

 

 

And it was only $5...I consider that a score! 

 

 

Last but certainly not least we have my new compass divided casserole dish in use!  I found out that the divided casseroles are perfect for serving warm dips...  For instance, for the new years ever shin dig at my house, I made buffalo chicken dip... the problem is that I like it really spicy and that very few others are in agreement on that.  The solution:  Half the casserole is spicy, the other half is far more mild.  Perfect. 

 

 

 

 

Well that's all for now folks!  I'm linking up on The Nifty Thrifty at a living space  Many great wishes that your upcoming 2013 is wonderful!  Happy Thrifting!

A Very Vintage Christmas

Here is the post I'm sure you saw coming.  Everyone, I would like to introduce you to my new Christmas goodies.  It seems like my parents really had fun searching for me this year and they did not disappoint. 

 

First of all, they found this Dormeyer stand mixer with meat grinder.  I believe it was made around 1950-1951 and still works wonderfully.  My only disappointment was that it only has the smaller of the mixing bowls but it will give me something to search for.  They also picked up the shiny brites which i adore.  Next up is a older Pyrex Percolator which I am intrigued by as the insides are completely metal.  Previously I had only ever found them where the insides were partially glass.  The metal insides also must be original as they are marked Pyrex.  Has anyone else ever found a similar one?  Last for this photo is a small Jadeite bowl.

 

 

 

Now comes the Pyrex!  The single item I am perhaps most excited about is the Compass promotional divided casserole.  It even has it's original carrier handle!  Hopefully tomorrow it will be put to use, you will see another blog post on it if so.  Also, I received the smallest verde frigie, Horizon Blue mixing bowl (my first of this pattern), and the smaller red hostess dish.  

 

Isn't it such a pretty red?

 

 

I really do think I'm in love with this.  

 

Here are some more miscellaneous Pyrex goodies.  I was quite tickled to get another double broiler, they seem harder to come buy around here.  Also pictured are a creamer, cookie jar, various see and store canisters and a lil coffee carafe.  

 

 

Now comes my new purchases.  I have to tell you, I am still absolutely thrilled with this one.  I found this Coleman metal cooler for only $20 at a local antique mall. Although it isn't in pristine condition, it has been used but not abused.  I'm completely okay with this though because that means that I can use it.  I'm sure it will be taking part in next summer's camping excursions.   

 

Part of the Diamond Series, this cooler was made in February, 1964.  How can you get it that exact down to the month?

 

 

How to... Date Coleman products:

Located with the other manufacturing information on the bottom of this cooler are 3 digits that can be utilized to date.  For example, this cooler is marked 6 42.  This translates into 6 4 being 1964 and the final digit signifying the second month being February. 

 

Now if only all vintage products had made it this simple to date them.



 

 

Also found at that antique mall was this "As You Like It" Fruit cocktail glass jar with plastic lid.  I picked up the two boxes of Shiny Brite ornaments at Goodwill for around a dollar a piece.  Finally, I found this Sears Courier train case at Goodwill for $3.  

 

 

Although the tray and keys are missing, it's still in quite good condition and I love the teal color to it.  Now I just need to find a matching suitcase, teehee.  

 

 

Well that's all for now folks.  Linking up over at Rednesday.  Happy thrifting and I hope you have a fabulous New Year!  

Merry Christmas!

Hello all!  Merry Christmas and I hope everyone is having a fantastic day celebrating with their families.  I just wanted to take a quick moment to share my wrapping job on all the presents for this year!  

 

 

 

And while I'm at it, some vintage Christmas post cards.  

Digging in December

Hello all and I hope you are having a wonderful holiday!  In amongst my Christmas shopping and wrapping and visiting and baking I have managed to do a bit of thrifting/junking.  First up are the thrifty finds. 

I have been checking the Christmas section of Goodwill a little more close lately hoping to find some new ornaments - preferably Shiny Brite ones.  I was able to find a box of them as well as a few other boxes of different brands that still had Shiny Brites in them, go figure.  While most were solid colored, I found a few of which were a little special: two striped and one indent.  Also, I found some new Jadeite goodies, one saucer and a creamer.  Ironically, I also on the same day found a red striped Pyrex sugar bowl - with lid!  Squeee!  Speaking of Pyrex, I also picked up the Town and Country divided casserole.  In case you've lost count as to how many divided casseroles I have...well so have I.  My mom also picked up the canister for me as well as the turquoise handled silverware. 

 

 

As for the junking side of things, currently my mom is in the middle of a move - and she had a lot of neato goodies amongst the true junk above the garage.  More neato goodies than is average since her house used to be a little grocery store.  Many thanks to my momma and brother for passing these on to me and helping to unearth them!  

 

To begin with: Cool old crates.  One is a dairy one with the town name on opposite side, the other was a meat crate.  

 

The meat crate even had some really legible writing on them.  It apparently held smoked hams in December 1953 - just in time for Christmas!

Although most of the branded signs had previously been removed, I did find this folk like hand painted sign.  This is especially interesting since after showing my dad he mentioned remembering when it used to hang out on the front sign post. 

 

 

Other random goodies unearthed included an old industrial style chair with adjustable height and back as well as metal bucket and wooden planter with an awesome painted patina.  

 

 

At this point, I was already excited.  But then...there was this.  Even though this is the same as the chair above, it is in much better shape and raised to stool height.  I think I'm in love with it.  So now the goal becomes to make chair above look like chair below.  I got this.  

 

 

 

Speaking of chairs.  My mom also gave me this one.  It's quite sturdy, children's height and had been slip covered at some point in time.  Now I just need to devise a plan with it too.  I see my project list for the summer is growing.  

 

 

So what do you think, would you have saved all the goodies I unearthed from the garage too?  Well that's all for now folks.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hopefully everyone has an excellent Thanksgiving today!  I know I'm already in turkey day mode:  Macy's Parade is on, will shortly begin working on getting ready to head out for my family dinners at 12:30 and 5. 

In addition to being immensely thankful to be spending time with my family today, I would just like to tell everyone how thankful I am for my readers, followers, and all the comments they leave me.  You have know idea how they brighten my day. 

So what's on your agenda for today?  Is there anything you're especially thankful for?

(Note:  The postcard is one from my collection, ironically the only Thanksgiving one from my collection.  I was really hoping to have one with a large and cheerful turkey.  Oh well, you get grapes in lieu.  Although not dated, it does state "Raphael Tuck & Sons, Art publishers to their majesties the King and Queen, Printed in Saxony")